Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $16.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $16.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,283 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,572 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill, NC, earn a median hourly pay of $16.48, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This competitive rate reflects the demand for skilled professionals in this evolving healthcare sector. Many specialists in this field work in various settings, including remote home offices—an arrangement that has become increasingly popular post-2020. For those engaged in part-time roles or per-diem work, such as in hospital HIM departments or physician group coding cubicles, the flexibility of a part-time schedule (typically three days a week) can lead to an attractive work-life balance. Hourly earnings range from approximately $11.54 for entry-level positions to about $25.55 for top earners, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and job setting.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.54 | $92.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.61 | $108.87 |
| Median (P50) | $16.48 | $131.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.77 | $166.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.55 | $204.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $16.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.48/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $34,286 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,781. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $659.35 | $2,857 | $34,286 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $395.61 | $1,714 | $20,572 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $263.74 | $1,143 | $13,714 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Chapel Hill) | $16.48 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $34,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.96% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 22.00% above the North Carolina state average of $28,101.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.48/hr = $20,572/year (purchasing power: $21,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,286/year (purchasing power: $36,631).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.48/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chapel Hill (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill grew 9.6% from $14.70/hr (2021) to $16.11/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.87/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Chapel Hill
When analyzing potential earnings for those who choose to work part-time or as per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill, the financial landscape varies significantly. A medical coder working three days a week for 24 hours could expect to take home an annual income that reflects a balance between part-time flexibility and consistent pay. Conversely, per-diem medical coders in Chapel Hill typically bill at rates considerably higher than the median, with figures ranging from $25 to $42 per hour. For specialized roles, such as CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists, rates can jump to between $35 and $65 per hour. Hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer type—physician group practices, third-party coding companies, and hospitals all possess different pay scales—creating a unique environment where some specialists may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for the security of benefits. For those interested in negotiating pay, it’s advisable to research local rates and be prepared to demonstrate expertise or specialized credentials related to the current demand trends in coding and billing.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Chapel Hill?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Chapel Hill?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Chapel Hill?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov